Every owner dreams of having a four-legged friend live with them for as long as possible, which is understandable as dogs are both family members and friends. In this article, we introduce you to 9 dog breeds that often live with their owners into old age.
9. Yorkshire Terrier | 11-14 years
A tendency to stubbornness, adventure and problems is more worrying for the owner than genetic diseases in a terrier.Of course, they are also possible, but terriers are not prone to frequent illnesses. They live to the age of 16, and their average life expectancy is slightly lower than that of all the terriers discussed in this article, at around 11-14 years.
8. Romanian Water Dog | 12-15 years
We can safely say that the gentle character of these marsh dogs, their sociability, sensitivity, self-control and natural drive to act are a universal recipe for a long life. It is an extremely healthy, robust and long-lasting breed with few genetic diseases.
7. Maltese Bichon | 12-15 years
Before adopting this cute little puppy into the family, it is worth knowing that it must be placed with owners who are able to establish strict and clear rules. In addition, the thick, fluffy coat of these dogs requires a lot of attention, but breed-specific diseases are rare. The dog can sometimes have digestive problems, allergies and dislocation of the kneecaps. The average life expectancy of a Maltese Bichon is between 12 and 15 years.
6. Pomeranian Spitz | 12-15 years
The Pomeranian Spitz is a small and charming dog with a big heart. Their fluffy coat needs more attention, but they are practically free of any genetic diseases. They can bark loudly, so they can be good house guards, but they need special training, otherwise they may bark at everyone, all the time. Pomeranian Spitz have an average lifespan of 12-16 years.
5. Jack Russell Terrier | 12-15 years
Despite their size, Jack Russell Terriers are fierce, courageous and full of endless energy.The breed has maintained its commitment to activity to this day, which makes it a challenge to give dogs the right amount of exercise and socialisation. Jack Russell Terriers are active dogs, so exercise keeps them healthy and lively for a long time. The dog is prone to allergies and neurological diseases. With proper care, it can live from 12 to 15 years.
4. 12-15 years
Some representatives of this breed break longevity records. Unfortunately, although dachshunds often live to a ripe old age (12 to 15 years on average), they suffer from diseases caused by their specific anatomy. The most common are spinal problems.
3. Australian Shepherd | 13-15 years
An extremely disease-resistant dog whose longevity is determined by physical activity and genetics. To keep your dog in good physical and mental shape and to enjoy the companionship of a healthy dog for a longer period of time, there are a few rules to remember. Exercise your dog a lot and remember to visit the vet for preventive care for dysplasia, cataracts and hypothyroidism. This breed has an average lifespan of 13-15 years.
2. Poodle | 15-16 years
This elegant breed has kept its hunting roots. Today, it is a companion dog with exceptional intelligence, compassion and good trainability. Well-known age-related problems in Poodles include visual impairment and joint problems. Nevertheless, the life expectancy of this breed is 15-16 years for the Miniature Poodle, 15 years for the Medium Poodle and 12-15 years for the Large Poodle breeds.
1. Chihuahua | 16-18 years
This world-renowned breed supports the theory of exceptional longevity of small dogs. They live as long as 16-18 years. Whether short-haired or long-haired, they adapt to living conditions and are particularly resistant to disease. It is hard to imagine everyday life without the company of our furry friends, so we should take the best possible care of them.